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Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb

Thursday 8th January 20047:00 PM

If you haven’t been in a coma for the last 40 years, you’ve probably heard of Stanley Kubrick, and it’s more than likely that you’ve seen one of his amazing films. Now, considering the quality of those films (AI doesn’t count, Spielberg got his grubby hands on it) this is like that, but ten times better. In my opinion, this is probably his best film ever. Dr. Strange Love (or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love The Bomb which is probably one of the best titles in history) is a fantastic look at the complete insanity that the Cold War represented, and not only that, it's incredibly funny. It makes fun of the Russians, the Americans, the Brits, and the whole idea of Weapons of Mass Destruction.

The plot begins with Brig. Gen. Jack Ripper (Sterling Hayden) using his new found authority to launch a nuclear strike on the “Ruskies.” It’s his belief that once the government realises that threes no way to stop the planes, they’ll have to fully commit to the atrocity and then the world will be free of the “despicable commie bastards.” Unfortunately for him, and the rest of the world, the Russians have the Ultimate WMD hidden in Siberia, a Doom’s Day device, capable of destroying the whole world, and completely automated. All of this is debated in the War Room between Gen. 'Buck' Turgidson (George C Scott), President Muffley (Peter Sellers), The Russian Ambassador Alexi de Sadesky (Peter Bull), and of course, Dr. Strangelove himself (Peter Sellers).

All the while, the film also follows the crew of a very special B52 bomber, captained by G. A. “Ace” Owens (Shane Rimmer) and with Lt. Lothar Zogg (James Earl Jones) on board.

This film is as relevant now as it was in 1964, and will leave you with a few lasting catch phrases (such as “Please gentlemen, there’s no fighting in the war room!!!!” and “Precious Bodily Fluids” – don’t ask, just watch) as well as a serious distrust in the logic of weapons of mass destruction.

Not to mention, we might have a slightly more educated Film Secretary by the end of it.

Writers:

Leads:

Music:

Length:

93 minutes

Year:

1964

Country:

UK

Language:

English, Russian

PG

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